When Juvia comes back to the theatre club, everyone is welcoming her with a warm loving smile. Almost everyone apologizes to her for what happened a couple of weeks ago. While Meredy almost sneers at how fake their apologies sound, Juvia reminds her friend that it's not wise to go against the decision of their producers.

Oh sweet Juvia… Always look at the goods of all people…

Despite hating on their team for abandoning her friend, Meredy can't help but put on a big smile when she heard the news that the bluenette is allowed to perform for the event. What surprised her, even more, is how her friend requested them to change their performance, wishing to play a different song instead.

Despite only having two weeks left, Meredy accepts the bluenette's request. She is not someone who backs down from a challenge so easily. The pair practices every day, and every time they have a break from their schoolwork, they practice. When the pink head asks why she takes this performance so seriously, Juvia just gives her a smile, one that implies a lot of things.

Today is the same, Juvia and Meredy are practicing in a soundproof room after school, with Lyon and surprisingly, Gray waiting for them outside. Ever since that day, Gray and Juvia have become so close that they're almost inseparable. This sparks the question within their own friend group of whether or not they're dating and despite being asked the same question so many times, Gray and Juvia would always avoid answering it directly, making all their friends groan in desperation to know the truth.

Now that Juvia is going back to her normal student life, Gray feels like he can relax a bit. After that day, the brunette is slowly reverting back to her lovely, bubbly self. No one knows what happened in that study room, if William was threatening her and Jellal or her doing something that would shut the man up so quickly that he could not do anything else. When he asked the bluenette what was going on, she just told everyone that they have a lovely rain-watching time together. No more, no less than that.

What surprised him, even more, is how Juvia just moved back into her old apartment. She was quite baffled as well when she knows that it was the butler who had made the arrangement. Something in her heart is telling her that William was the one behind the whole thing. If it's true, then it would bring a big smile to her face.

"Gray-sama!"

Gray raises his head from the notebook and waves back at the bluenette. It seems like she has finished her practice with Meredy.

"Juvia is sorry. She has been focused on her practice a bit too much, you must have waited for a long time."

"No, I'm good. I just got here."

Lyon sends him a look. What a big fat liar the raven head is, waiting for Juvia for two hours and yet telling her that he just arrive?

Meredy lets out a giggle, thinking how only love can make people sacrifice this much for one another.

The bluenette turns to her friends, she is quite confused at why they're giving her a knowing face. Gray just shakes his head, telling her to ignore them and asks if she wants to go to the bakery near their campus. The pairs bid each other goodbye as Gray and Juvia walk home together as always, smiling and talking about their day and her practice.

The bluenette has always been so excited about her performance, even before all of the troubles that happened to her. But this time, it seems like her excitement is on a different level, making Gray quite curious about what song she is going to play at the event. She has been keeping it like a big secret that she doesn't want to spoil.

"Well, whatever the song is, I'm sure it's gonna sound amazing."

"Gray-sama thinks so too?"

The bubbly giggle that escapes her lips is always music to his ears. After everything that had happened to him, to her and to everyone around them, it was so pleasing to see that lovely smile on her face once again.

However, despite all the changes in their lives, what surprised them the most is when Jellal decided to stay in Crocus to finish his degree. When Gray asks him why, the older bluenette only said that it's his way of bidding his father goodbye, as when he's done with the courses, he will move to Magnolia City to be closer to his sister. Their relationship doesn't seem to improve that much, besides William dropping the punishment and allowing his son to move around freely without any restriction.

"Gray-sama, which baked treat do you want?" like a chirping little bird, she asks him in excitement "They have a seasonal flavor today, maybe we should try that."

"Seasonal flavor? You mean the salted cherry blossom cheesecake? I'm down with that."

The smile on her face brings such brightness to the whole bakery, painting a ray of sunshine and rainbows everywhere she goes. Or maybe that's what happened in his eyes right now as he's looking at her. Springtime calls for the season of beautiful cherry blossom, the vibrant pink color of the petals is pretty to look at.

Juvia even suggests that they should have a cherry blossom viewing date, like a picnic where they eat good food while viewing the scenery. Despite Gray wanting it to be between them, the more people join in, the merrier as how Juvia would put it. Maybe after the grand performance at Magnolia University, they can plan the whole picnic trip with everyone, that would be fun.

"Gray-sama! Will you please hear Juvia's request?"

"Request?" he looks at her, puzzling. Such an odd way of asking him for something…

"Yes, uhm…" she stops herself a little bit, trying to find the right word "Uhm, w-would it be okay if Lucy-san can help her find a dress for her performance?"

Gray almost can not hold his composure when he heard this. Why would the bluenette phrases her question so formally, only to ask for the most casual thing ever? Of course, Lucy can. If anything, shopping is one of her favorite hobbies, the blonde would love to help her find the perfect dress.

"Do you want me to ask her for you?"

"Yes please, if that is possible."

He flicks her forehead, asking her to drop the formality. There's nothing that makes him more uncomfortable than hearing her saying things in the most honorific way while having a casual conversation. It's one of Juvia's bad behavior, especially when she tries to request something from someone. The bluenette might think that it's polite for her to do so, but to normal people, it sounds a little bit off.

"Alright, you wanna do it right now?"

"I-if that's possible?"

"Anything is possible, especially when it comes to Lucy and clothes." with that, Gray calls his blonde friend "Hey Lucy, it's Gray!"

"Hi Gray, you need me?"

"Yeah, Juvia is wondering if you can help her pick out a dress for her performance."

"What do you mean 'wondering'? Of course, I can! In fact, I'm at the mall right now. Bring her with you to the mall!"

He looks at Juvia who gives him a nod before saying yes to Lucy.

"Perfect, I'll see you guys soon!"

He winces at how loud the blonde is, she is probably very excited about picking out outfits for Juvia. Offer to give the bluenette a ride, Juvia blushes as she nods her head. To be in the same small space as her beloved Gray-sama makes her heart flutter so much, she can feel butterflies in her stomach.

"Let's go now, shall we?"

"O-Of course, Gray-sama!"

The blonde beauty welcomes her friends with a big, warm hug. Gray looks around, wondering where Natsu is. Lucy can't possibly go to the mall alone, can she?

"If you're looking for Natsu, he's being held back by Erza-san. It seems like he failed one of his test, so…"

Gray sweatdrops at the news, praying for his friend quietly that he would get through Erza's wrath. As a senior in their group, the redhead is responsible to ensure that her friends got good grades. Anyone who fails a test earns a supplementary class from her and from his experience, Gray knows how tough those one-on-one class with Erza is.

"Well, good luck to him…"

"I think so too…" Lucy sighs "Anyway, before we get going, do you mind letting us girls have our time?"

"Huh? Why…?"

"Well, just think how much of a good surprise it will be once you see her on stage, like a first look on a wedding day!"

Their faces heat up at the blonde's words, what's with the marriage talk all of a sudden? They catch each other eyes stealing a few glances at one another, only to struggle to maintain their composure as the blushes on their face grow even more. Lucy giggles at the sight, she might be teasing a little bit too much.

"W-well, Imma leave you guys alone then…"

"Have fun Gray!" their blonde friend waves at him "Now, let's go shall we?"

Juvia nods her head, although still tries to steal a few glances at him before Lucy drags her to different stores in the mall. When asked what style of dress the bluenette wants to wear, she is bombarded by vast knowledge about fashion from Lucy. Besides being the star student at her university news club, her love for fashion makes the blonde beauty one of the most fashionable friends that Gray has, with second place going to Erza.

"What do you think about this?" she holds up a pink one "Or maybe this blue one?"

In her eyes, both of these dresses are very nice, but they're not the type that she wants to wear in her performance. She looks around more, hoping to find something that catches her eye, simple and elegant, yet she can make a statement when wearing it too. Scanning through the store, her face beams up when she sees a black dress on the mannequin.

"You want to try that on?" Lucy smiles when the bluenette points at the outfit "Let's ask the employees if they have anything besides the display one."

With the help of a style consultant, Juvia is able to get a hold of the dress she wants. It's a simple long black sleeveless dress, with a high neckline, a bow ribbon accessory on the back of the neck, and subtle star patterns on the skirt. A simple and elegant dress, Juvia likes it a lot when she tries it on.

Normally, black is not her go-to color. She prefers something brighter, or has a hint of blue on it. Blue is her favorite color after all. But this black dress is perfect for her performance, she can just visualize herself standing in front of a big audience, playing the violin on the stage with beautiful lights, just thinking about it makes her heart flutters. Such a lovely scene…

"You look pretty in that dress, Juvia."

"Thank you, Lucy-san. Juvia likes it a lot."

"I'm glad that you pick out something you like." Lucy smiles "Do you want to look for more dresses? There are some cute ones on the display that I think you might like it."

"O-oh no, Juvia is good with this one. It's not like she needs lots of clothes…"

"I mean, you are going to be a big star one day. Might as well get used to the idea of having lots of dresses and outfits." the blonde giggles "That's just my two cents, we can call it a day if you're tired. Also, there's a crepe store in this mall that serves the best strawberry and cream crepe in this whole town, you have to try it."

"Yes please, Juvia would love to try that."

The sweet giggling sound coming from the girls makes everyone turns their head at them. Like a ray of sunshine lights up the room after a gloomy rainy day. The bluenette looks at the paper bag in her hand, smiling brightly. Only two weeks left until her performance, and she can't contain her excitement. Everyone will be there, her friends, her brother, her beloved Gray-sama, and maybe…he will be there too…