Chouchou Yosei

Previously: Gray is so flustered by their confessions, he runs away and says he can't hang out with her for the rest of the festival. Lucy is acting a little odd with Natsu, who at the end of the day walks her home (ULGH NALU THOSE CUTIES!). Along with Levy, she suddenly bursts into tears about Gajeel. Revealing he's the one she likes from her part time job. After a long day, Juvia meets gray at the Cafe.

The small clattering of plates from the servers echoed through the cafe. As they sat in silence, the background noise became louder and more painful to Juvia. She wanted to say something, at least say hello but her courage seemed to be out of order. Gray wasn't helping either, and when their waitress brought each of them a small mug of coffee, he wrapped his hand around the handle. After another moment of silence, Gray lifted up the cup causing a small clinking noise against the plate it once sat on.

Juvia looked up and to her surprise, Gray stared right back at her. They stayed like this for a moment until it felt like steam was eliciting itself from Juvia's ears. She looked away feeling awkward, and after a couple of seconds Gray's grip faltered. The coffee spilled on the table and dripped down, his mug rocking lightly in the mess.

"S-sorry!" He yelled and quickly a waitress came up to them. She wiped up the mess and Juvia could only stare blankly at Gray.

He apologized profusely and once the young girl left to serve others, their silence spread out around them again. It took a solid minute before she could gather her courage, which she swore was expended for the day.

"... Are you okay?" Juvia looked down, nervous

"Yeah..." The onyx haired boy muttered, than he sat up straight and looked at her "sorry, about today."

Juvia felt her lips separate from each other and she quickly shook her head. "I... I was happy." Her voice came out stronger than she expected, and the statement made Gray blush.

"Ah..." He said intelligently, Juvia's eye lids drooped as her face burned red. "Me too..."

She looked up so fast, her neck ached but she couldn't feel the pain. Their eyes met and the sudden reality that their feelings are mutual washed over both of them. With that, the two looked away again. Hundreds of questions ran through her mind, but it was too fast for her to comprehend.

The cafes doorbell rang, signifying a person or group of persons entered. The familiar chime of a waitress saying "welcome," was ignored. Footsteps got closer and closer, a young man with black shoes approached the two. He plopped himself right next to Gray, bumping shoulders. The two looked at the man with wide eyes,

"What are you doing?" The guy asked, a small smirk spreading across his face.

"G-Gajeel!" Gray yelled in surprise.

"Yeah?" He said like Gray was stupid, than Gajeel looked over at Juvia. Scanned her, checked her out, it made her shift uneasily in her seat and glance at Gray. "This kid again? So you two are dating after all?"

"We-! We are not!" Gray denied, a coat of blush appearing. The comment made Juvia blush as well.

"I see..." Gajeel muttered, a little confused.

"No, wait! What are you doing here!?" Reality hitting the boy hard.

"Nothing much." He said grabbing a menu, "just saw you in the window"

"I see..." Gray stayed quiet and hoped Gajeel got the hint to leave.

"I want a cheesecake," he ordered to a passing waiter.

"Okay!" Gray sat up, looking at Juvia before exiting the booth "we're leaving!"

"Ah," he looked at the two as Gray grabbed Juvia's wrist and began to leave "why?"

He didn't answer, instead he pulled the blue haired girl out of the cafe, walking quickly. Gray didn't let go until they were out of sight, and then they walked in silence. Juvia watched her feet move on automatic, letting a single thought nag at her.

"Even though it's mutual... We aren't dating..."

"Sorry," Gray said as he looked up, his voice barely audible. So Juvia listened closely. "That senpai was Gajeel... We practiced karate together in middle school, sorry... Sorry... For just now."

"Why..." She batted her lashes as she looked up at him. "Why are you sorry?"

It broke their conversation and now Juvia felt bad. She didn't understand, he didn't have a reason to apologize. It's not like she was dating him.

"He's always quiet... He's probably thinking. On the way home... Even though we're walking together, even though it's mutual feelings, why is it that when compared to walking by myself... It feels... A lot lonelier. I want to hear his feelings!"

Juvia went to reach for his hand but it was shoved inside his jeans pocket. For only a second did she lose courage, but Juvia quickly regained it and reached for his cardigans. She grabbed it and pulled them to an abrupt stop. "What do you think of me?" She wanted to say.

"What are you thinking?" Juvia looked up at Gray, who has now turned to her.

"I was..." The boy blinked and looked down. "I was thinking if Juvia-San would be happier if we were talking..."

She stared at him for a couple seconds, happy he was being considerate of her. Juvia let go of his cardigan, and saw his hand was free. Slowly she reached to grab it, taking the fact he didn't flinch or pull away as a sign to continue. Her hand held his tightly and Gray returned the gesture by squeezing. They continued walking to her house, the silence a bit more comfortable.

"The person I like... Likes me." It took all her strength to hide her happiness showing on her face. Gray turned to Juvia, noticing she has slowed down. She brushed against his shoulder, their faces being closer than ever. Quickly, Gray looked forward but didn't move. The blue haired girl blinked and pulled on his hand lightly, getting his eyes back on her.

"What..." Juvia took a second to pick her words. "What if we start dating?"

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