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Chapter 2: A Change in Pace
(Cana's POV)
After slamming another tankard of beer, I finally realized what had been different the last hour, Gajeel wasn't frowning. He had a mouthful of silverware, and his eyebrows were furrowed, but, looking closely, I saw the corner of his lips slightly curled up. Not a smile, but not his usual glower. I licked my lips, getting rid of the small amount of liquor left on them, and walked over to him.
"Hey, tough stuff." I said, nudging him roughly and pulling out my hip flask. "Watcha smilin' about?"Immediately, his frown returned. He scoffed at me, spitting out a piece of plastic that had been the handle to a spoon.
"I'm not." He said, "You're just drunk." I laughed, taking a sip from my flask.
"Maybe you're right." I lied. I've always found it easier to get information when people think you're intoxicated. "Watcha been doin'?" I asked. He shrugged, munching on a fork.
"Why do you care?" he asked, avoiding eye contact. I giggled, and I noticed him practically flinch… Interesting.
At that moment, everybody's favorite hothead came bursting through the door. Natsu Dragneel, along with his cat, Happy, and the rest of his team came in like a pack of wild schoolgirls.
"And then I was like, pow!" the dragonslayer said, his eyes flaming.
"We were there, dumb ass…" Gray said, "We know what happened."
"Yeah, well shut up Gray!" Natsu shouted.
"Are you sure you were there? You didn't help much, all unconsious like that…" Happy said, smirking. Gray was taken aback.
While Team Natsu continued their usual antics, I noticed that Gajeel had gotten up. He was leaving the guild hall now, and I could see a little spring in his step. I shook my head, grinning. He could keep his secret. I'd find out soon enough.
(Gajeel's POV)
I left the guild hall, eager to find Hikari. Since I had met her yesterday, she hadn't stopped being on my mind. All I could think of was her eyes, like pools of chocolate. And her laugh… I couldn't even begin. I had found myself making a fool of myself just to hear that laugh. Which was very unlike me.
Cana was on to me… Or maybe she wasn't. I couldn't tell, because she was so drunk all the time, but she definitely suspected something.
Hikari was waiting for me a ways away from the guild hall. Her shoes were beside her, and her feet dangled in the canal. She smiled, and the wind blew her hair gently. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be very content. Again, though, I found that she seemed a bit… transparent. As if I could see through her. However, when the light changed, it went away. I shook my head. This chick was getting to me. I walked over, and stood there awkwardly for a moment.
"... Ahem…" I cleared my throat quietly. "Uh, hi…" Her eyes opened, and she looked at me, her smile widening. My heart skipped a beat. The look she gave me was distant, but affectionate. She always seemed so far away.
"Oh, hey, Gajeel!" she said, standing up. Her bare feet, now wet, glistened in the midday sunlight. They, like the rest of her body, were slender and elegant. I shook my head. Why would I focus on her feet like that?
"Hey." I said, not able to hold back my smile. She tilted her head, and her expression changed to one of puzzlement. I looked myself up and down. What? What was it? "Uh… What?"
"Oh, nothing." she said, shaking her head. Her smile returned. "You smell like beer… Drinking without me?" She gave me a little smirk.
"Ah, no!" I said, a bit too quickly. "That was just a friend of mine… She drinks a lot. Maybe you know her."Hikari tensed. Oh no. I had said something wrong, hadn't I? "I-I'm sorry." I said, 'Did I-?"
"No, no it's alright!" she said, relaxing. Her eyes were very distant now… Moreso than usual. "So, where are we going?" I shrugged. I hadn't actually thought about it. "Do they still have that petting zoo?" Hikari asked, faintly. I nodded. "Can we go?"
"Of course." I said. I had no idea where this would go, but I was hoping I might learn a bit more about this mysterious beauty.
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