First Mission (Part 2)

After regaining his composure, Natsu made his way back to his classroom, with Lucy following like a kid behind. As usual, Lucy spoke endlessly about the plan and the possible outcomes, while Natsu just responded happily from time to time.

Natsu appreciated Lucy's efforts to cheer him up, and it wasn't long before Natsu really did forget about the upperclassman's harsh treatment.

Students began pouring one by one at the classroom, but Natsu didn't mind it at all. He didn't stop talking to the ghost. Lucy remained the same, chatting about useless stuff going on at their everyday lives. She didn't seem bothered if he wouldn't reply, knowing that he was already listening-and his lips occasionally twitching-was already enough.

Surprisingly, she acted obedient and well-mannered when it was time for class. It was as if she knew what Natsu was thinking.

Though he thought Lucy was a distraction, he silently thanked it when she excused herself and left. It was about time he really listened to class.

"I'll be back at break, Nat-chan!" was what she said. And Natsu was already satisfied enough by that.

'You're really a sad kid, Natsu...' he thought as he looked up to the sky, 'After all, your only friend is a ghost...'

As break time came, Lucy came back later as promised. Natsu asked where had she gone but she only answered with a smile. Maybe she needed her 'me' time? Do ghosts even do that? He wondered.

They came across the garden where they wrote in the letter the place the two would meet. Looking for a good place in the garden, Lucy offered to find one for him. But even if she was the brightest student on campus, she would be dim-witted by being over-excited.

Natsu wanted to face palm at the ridiculous places she pointed ('Ah! This tree looks good!' 'Lucy, even if I do every kind of angle, I'd still be seen' 'Then how 'bout this shrub? You fit in it!' 'Yeah, well, if half the leaves weren't gone.') but he found himself laughing merrily all the time.

In the end they settled at one of the tree branches. If Natsu could climb up and rest on one, no one would probably notice him. But if someone were to, he would just close his eyes and pretend that he's napping. But that's what he probably intended to do.

With that settled, the two began talking-or more like Lucy was-about stupid things happening on Natsu's mundane life.

"It would've been that way if you hadn't shown up..."

"Oh shut up, I know you like it."

"Yeah, whatever."

For the first time in his life, Natsu smiled the whole time. He didn't mind if anyone would spot him and tell him he looks so 'f*cking creepy and weird'. He was enjoying the time with his newfound friend.

So as the break ended, Natsu made his way back to the classroom. Though waiting for the class to end was antagonizing enough, at least he had entertainment beside him. Well, more like Lucy is beside him.

Her talking was already enough to keep him from sleeping.

But by now, Lucy is far more important to Natsu than his classmates. Even if she wasn't tangible, at least she has a real heart.

In the end he had to catch up to an excited Lucy floating to the garden.

XXX

Every step he took near the garden somehow scared him. After this, Lucy would be gone. After this, he would be lonely again. He didn't want that. He didn't want to lose his only friend. But he should just go with the flow, right? Let life do whatever it may to him.

'Don't be scared, Natsu,' he reassured himself as he climbed up, 'remember what Lucy taught you. Face things without fear and take a step. That's right. Take a step.'

Nervousness filled his entire chest as each minute passed by. His buddy however, seemed to be the opposite. But he only sighed and decided to take a nap.

He even wondered how the hell he was able to go up. He was tired from all the running he did. So when he climbed up, Lucy was there to pull him. Well, more like she was pulling him by the collar.

As if on cue, as Natsu had adjusted himself onto a comfortable position, a tall senior with blue hair appeared. He recognized him to be Jellal Fernandes, Lucy's cousin who, in his definition, is the perfect epitome of innocence.

He has the same wide smile Lucy has. 'They're really cousins alright.' he thought as a cringe went to his spine.

Jellal stood awkwardly, a tiny blush on his face as he walked around, with the note held tight in his hand.

"That stupid Jelly," Lucy murmured as she bit her hanky, "how is he going to confess if he can't man up?!"

"What're you talking about?" he asked, "He's receiving a confession, right? That's what we wrote, right? Then how do you expect him to confess?"

No response.

"It'll work out somehow..." she gritted out.

He only snorted out and watched as another figure entered the scene. This time, it was a girl.

He believed her to be the student council president, Erza Scarlet. With fiery, red hair and glasses, of course she was easy to recognize. Even someone as dense as him knows about her.

"J-Jellal?" Erza was the first to spurt out, "Wha-what're you doing here?"

"M-me?" the blunette squawked, "Shouldn't I be a-asking you that? I-I thought you had something to do?"

"I...I'm just here to decline someone," she uttered and looked away from him.

"What a coincidence, so was I." he chuckled and continued walking around.

Erza arched an eyebrow, "But why...oh, whatever," she sighed and turned around, "I'll just see you tomorrow, Jellal."

"You better not blow it Erza," Lucy murmured, ignoring the stare Natsu has been giving her.

"W-wait, Erza!"

The said girl turned around with a furious blush, "Wha-what now?"

He came closer to the girl and smiled, shrugging aside the blush on his face, "I'm here to decline someone because...I wanted to tell her that there's only one girl I like. A-and...t-that's you...Erza Scarlet. W-will you go out with me?"

"Really?" she asked, "You better not be joking, idiot!"

"Of course I'm not," he chuckled, "so? I await the lady's response."

"Yes! Yes I do!"

'You're not getting married, idiot,' he thought as he scoffed and averted his gaze. This is looking more and more like a soap opera by the second.

As soon as the newly-formed couple left, Lucy gave him yet another bone-crushing hug. Thanking him endlessly for his efforts, while the latter only smiled and sighed, "Guess it's goodbye now, huh?"

"What?"

"You're going back to heaven, aren't you? I mean, you've already fulfilled it," he said with a warm smile, "I'm gonna miss you..."

"What're you talking about, Natsu?" she chuckled, "I'm not going anywhere!"

"...what?"

"Look!" she presented a long piece of paper, "As long as I haven't helped these people, I can't go back! But I do appreciate that you'll miss me! From now on, let's become more closer and open to each other, okay?!"

Natsu almost regretted doing that.

"Now let's view our next mission!"

Oh gawd.

TO BE CONTINUED