Updated: May 17, 2023
Chapter 8: Happy yet unhappy
After Natsu had taken a shower, he dressed himself back to his uniform and headed straight towards the gates of the school. He was in deep thought as he briskly walked past the park.
"Natsu! Natsu! Wait!"
He snapped out of his trance and turned around to search for the person calling him when suddenly he saw Lisanna. His eyes grew wide in bafflement as he realized he forgot about her.
"Lis! Sorry, I—"
"I was calling you back there," Lisanna cuts off as she finally stands before him, "I told you I was at the gardens,"
"Oh…right, yeah. Sorry, I forgot. I thought you said gate," Natsu sheepishly smiled as he deliberately lied about the fact that he had forgotten about her.
Lisanna chuckles at the pinkette before she loops her arms around his, "I guess you're getting hungry,"
"Oh…" Natsu studied her face and thought for a second if he'd disagree because he was hungry but he didn't feel like talking to anyone at the moment and felt like heading home, "Um, I was thinking to eat at home,"
"But, I'm hungry too," Lisanna lazily nudges him, "Come on, let's eat first. How about some sushi and Takoyaki? I'm craving for one,"
Natsu gave a tight-lipped smile, "Yeah, sure…"
Natsu and Lisanna then went off and headed to the nearest night market to search the food Lisanna was craving for. As they walked through various food stalls, Natsu's stomach then rumbles making him drool over the smell of food. Soon enough, Natsu's attention was on the various food displayed and quickly notices his and Lucy's usual sushi food stall.
"Lis, you've got to try here. Their sushi and takoyaki are the best!"
Lisanna suddenly laughs at the pinkette's enthusiasm, "And from what food review did you get that?"
Natsu chuckles back, "From mine and Lucy's food review. We usually eat here when we crave it," he then looked around the tent and searched for an empty table.
At that admission, Lisanna suddenly was quiet and felt uncomfortable. It was the same claustrophobic feeling she felt back in the summer every time Natsu did this. Bringing her to places that he and Lucy usually likes.
"Oh…" Lisanna mumbles softly, making Natsu glance back at her, "So this is yours and Lucy's go-to place,"
Natsu stared for a moment at the silverette, wondering what he said wrong to make her look like she was defeated. "Uh, yeah. I guess…well techni—"
"Can we eat somewhere else?" Lisanna interrupts, briefly looking at the teen before turning around and walking out of the tent.
Natsu was stunned for a second before internally debating with himself. He wanted to eat there because that was his favorite sushi bar, but Lisanna seemed insistent to try somewhere else. As he saw Lisanna walk further, almost losing her in his sight, he grumbles to himself and chases after the silverette instead.
Natsu didn't argue anymore with Lisanna and just complied with the girl to search for another sushi bar. When Lisanna found a new place, she hurriedly entered while pulling Natsu along. As they were in, Lisanna looked at the pink-haired teen and said, "This place looks better than the last one. We'll eat here. Look for a table and I'll order our food," she then walked away, leaving Natsu with no choice.
As the two waited for their order to arrive, Natsu and Lisanna seemed preoccupied with their phones. Natsu kept his eyes on his screen, while Lisanna glanced at him from time to time. When she had enough, she sighs audibly and cleared her throat.
Natsu looked up and saw the impassive look of the silverette. At some point, he felt guilty for ignoring her. So, he kept his phone away and coughed, covering his mouth.
"So, uh, Lis, how was class today?" Natsu asked mundanely, trying to get the girl's attention. When Lisanna looked back at her, she gave a small smile.
"It was good. I actually got a good score on our social science quiz. How about you?"
"Umm…" Natsu scratched his head as he didn't know what to say. His mind during class wasn't on his subjects and more on Lucy and Sting. He can only remember grumbling throughout the classes as he stared at the two. "It-it was good, though I missed a recitation…"
Lisanna pouted for a second before she placed her hand on his forearm, "That's fine. But next time, do your readings. You can't miss out on recitation,"
"Yeah, yeah…I was just…not really listening during that time," Natsu then gave a tight smile to her before ducking his head.
Soon enough, the server came to their table and placed all the food Lisanna had ordered. As the man was placing the plates, Natsu was looking for something specific.
"Um, where's the hot sauce?" Natsu innocently asked the man.
"Uh, in the kitchen. Did you want one?"
"Yes, please," Natsu pursed his lips into a smile before the man left.
"Hot sauce? Isn't wasabi enough to spice up your food?" Lisanna raised a brow at the pinkette as she prepared her meal, "I mean, I know you like spicy but hot sauce on sushi?"
"Well, I like it spicier," Natsu replies almost sounding annoyed for explaining himself, "That's why Lucy always asks for a bottle of siracha or tabasco,"
"Lucy again?" Lisanna suddenly questioned with crossness in her voice, making Natsu a little guilty and baffled at the intonation. The silver-haired girl held her breath for a second as she realized how she sounded. So, she exhaled deeply as if to calm herself before speaking again, "What I meant is, Lucy didn't tell me that you always liked eating with a bottle of siracha or tabasco sauce,"
Natsu was confused at the sudden change of mood, but he nodded his head and started eating his food. Lisanna stared at the pinkette for a moment, feeling embarrassed for her little outburst. She wasn't really handling herself well today.
As Lisanna began to eat, she made menial comments about their food and Natsu responded casually. When she finished her food, Lisanna puts down her chopsticks and watched the pinkette eat with gusto. The boy quickly noticed it and paused midway through eating.
"Yeah?" Natsu inquired before he slowly chucks the food in his mouth.
Lisanna smiled warmly at the boy, "Nothing…" she then giggles before she shook her head and sat up straight, "Well, actually, I wanted to say something important,"
"Important?" Natsu then sits up straight and watched the girl before him, "What is it?"
"Well…" Lisanna's cheeks then turn pink as she looks down at her fumbling hands, "It's about us,"
"Oh…" Natsu was stunned for a second before he bashfully scratches the back of his neck, a sign of nervousness, "What about us?"
Lisanna looked at the pinkette with glee in her eyes, "I want us to make some rules or promises…"
"Rules-?" Natsu confusingly shakes his head as Lisanna cuts him off.
"Promises" Lisanna then reached out for Natsu's hand and held it gently, "First promise, we should always spend time together,"
"Oh-kay…" Natsu nods his head despite not completely understanding what was happening.
"Second, we tell each other our problems. We'll be each other's crying shoulder,"
Natsu nods again.
"And third, the most important promise…" Lisanna squeezes his hand a little more, "We never talk about other girls or boys again when we spend time together. We can talk about our friends of course, but…you know what I mean,"
Natsu stared for a moment, not absolutely sure if he gets what she means.
"I think I do get what you mean…" Natsu then looks down at their entwined hands, "But what're the promises for?"
Lisanna gave a wide smile at the pinkette, "Natsu, I'd like to be your girlfriend now, officially."
Natsu blankly stared at the silverette, baffled at the words she had said. She'd like to be my girlfriend? Officially?
"Natsu?" Lisanna chucklingly calls him as she squeezes his hand, "Are you all right?"
"Wait, you're my girlfriend now?"
"Yes!" Lisanna then laughs as she stood up and walked around the table to embrace the pinkette, "Are you happy?"
Natsu was utterly speechless as he embraces the silverette. He was baffled and stunned at the sudden turn of events. He knew he should be ecstatic about the news, yet he couldn't shake off the confusion and the feeling of doing things too fast. But he knows better, so he nods his head, stood up, and tightens his embrace to his, now, girlfriend.
"Yeah, I'm happy," Natsu mumbles over Lisanna's hair, before placing a gentle kiss on her head.
Lisanna felt it but somehow, she wanted more than that. Although, the gesture was sweet and innocent. So, she sighs in content as she tightens her hold on the pinkette.
Walking while holding hands with Lisanna was somewhat of a new experience for Natsu. It wasn't his first time doing so, but it was certainly the longest time he did this with her. It was different yet pleasing in some way. He doesn't know if he's comparing it to something else, or if it was simply just a new experience for him.
"I'm glad how this day turned out," Lisanna said as she peered at the pinkette, who was silently walking next to her.
Natsu glanced back at her and gave a gentle smile, "Me too…"
"About the walk out I did earlier during lunch break," Lisanna then bites her lower lip as she embarrassingly recalls her action, "I was upset about something, it's unfair of me to act like that without you really understanding what was going inside my head,"
"What was going inside your head?" Natsu then gave a gentle squeeze to Lisanna's hand.
"Well, let's say I was jealous," Lisanna looked up at the pinkette as if waiting to see if Natsu would understand the meaning of her words.
"Jealous?" Natsu tried hard to think about what could make Lisanna jealous when they were just talking about their friend. He couldn't understand why.
We never talk about other girls or boys again when we spend time together.
Natsu tilts his head as he recalls the girl's words. Does that include our friends? But she said we can talk about our friends, and that includes Lucy…so, why would she feel jealous when we were just talking about Lucy?
He still can't understand why Lisanna felt that way. But somehow, he knew he had to assure her.
As they reached Lisanna's house, they stopped right in front of the gate. Natsu had this idea that he should kiss Lisanna, but he felt uncertain, as if nervous to overstep.
"Well, this is me," Lisanna beamingly smiled at the pinkette.
"All right, good night, Lis," Natsu took a step back, contemplating what to do next. When suddenly he leans down and Lisanna happily anticipated a brush of lips on her lips. But Natsu leaned sideways and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Night Lis," Natsu whispered as he pulls back. Lisanna was still a little flabbergasted, not because she was thrilled with the cheek kiss, but because she expected more for their first kiss.
Soon enough, Natsu waved goodbye and headed home as well.
"Tadaima," Natsu greets as he closes the door and takes off his shoes. It was past eight in the evening and everyone had their dinner already. Wendy who was in the living room, doing some readings suddenly leaned over the couch and smiled at her brother.
"Okaeri, Natsu-nii,"
Natus glanced at his sister and gave a tired smile, "Hey, Wends,"
"You look awful," Wendy teases as she turns around to face her brother fully, "What happened at your script reading?"
"We didn't have one. We had basketball practice instead," Natsu then drops himself on the couch next to the blunette and turns the television on.
"You did?" Wendy beamed before she leans close to the pinkette, "Where's my sushi then?"
Natsu furrowed his brows at his sister, "What sushi? Why would I bring you home sushi?"
"Because you and Lucy-nee always bring me takeout when you guys eat out after a game," Wendy says as she pouts and crosses her arms, "Don't tell me you ate everything,"
Natsu was silent, a little stunned at the realization that he and Lucy actually had a habit of eating out after a game and would bring home some for Wendy. Well, technically, it's Lucy who has the habit of buying Wendy some takeout and she'd reprimand him for taking a taste test on those takeout.
"Oh, uh, about that…" Natsu looked away from his sister and tried to understand what show was playing on the tv, "I didn't eat any of your takeouts…or buy you any actually,"
"No takeout? Why? Did you and Lucy-nee fight and left you?" Wendy questioned, leaning forward to catch her brother's eyes.
Natsu felt stumped at her accusation, "No, we didn't fight,"
"Then—"
"We didn't eat together at all," Natsu cuts off, suddenly feeling annoyed with the fact that Lucy hadn't talked to him after winning the game or even glanced at him for regard. He was getting annoyed with the fact that Lucy brushed him off.
Wendy was a little startled by Natsu's raised voice. She sealed her lips and didn't utter anything more to avoid poking the pinkette into anger.
Natsu sighs as he realizes what he'd done. He looked back at his sister with sad eyes, "I wasn't with her. I was with Lisanna, and she doesn't know that Lucy does that for you. She isn't familiar with our usual antics or habits. Okay? But I guess I'll let her know,"
Wendy angles her head to the side with pursed lips, "You'll let her know? Because?"
Natsu took a few seconds to admit, "Lisanna's my girlfriend now. It's official,"
"Ohh…" Wendy's eyes grew wide, not expecting that news to ever come, "Umm…congratulations then," She then smiled as if to reassure her brother.
Natsu gave a tight-lipped smile before looking down at his fumbling hands, "Thanks…" he murmured. When silence lingered, Wendy sat properly and puts her feet on the floor. She tried to watch instead, even if her book was open on top of her lap.
She made brief glances at her brother, but it seemed that the pinkette was not happy as he should be. It was odd for Wendy. She has never met anyone looking so sad after telling that they finally have a romantic partner.
"Hey, Wends," Natsu suddenly mutters, snapping the blunette out of her own thoughts, "I'll head to my room. Don't forget the lights and make sure the doors are locked."
"Okay…" Wendy softly replies watching her brother stand and head towards the stairs.
When Natsu disappeared inside his room, Wendy quickly does what she's told. She turns off the tv, locks all doors, then turns off the light. As she climbs up the stairs, her mom suddenly comes out of their bedroom.
"Sleeping already?" Grandine asks as she notices the house is dark.
"Nope, not yet. I'll read inside my room instead," Wendy then sidesteps as she lets her mom pass. When her mom was two steps away from her, Wendy suddenly turns around and calls her mom.
"Can I ask you something Mom?"
"Sure, what is it, dear?" Grandine says as she slowly turns to look at her daughter.
"When a guy has been pursuing a girl for months and the girl finally says yes…shouldn't they be happy?"
Grandine raised a brow at her daughter, "Well, just to answer your question, yes. It is usual for new couples to be happy. Why are you asking this? Is there someone asking you out?"
"What? No-no!" Wendy shakes her head furiously as she felt a tinge of warmth on her cheeks, "It's not me…"
Grandine skeptically looked at the younger blunette, "Okay…then who are we talking about?"
"Natsu-nii," Wendy then sighs as she steps down to look at her mom closer, "He just told me that Lisanna is his girlfriend now, as in official. But when he said it, he didn't look quite happy, like something was bothering him."
"Maybe your brother was just tired," Grandine tries to reassure the teen, but Wendy shook her head.
"That's not it. I've seen Natsu-nii happy even when he's overly tired. He was like…" Wendy's face contorts, trying to imitate the look but she was ending up frustrated with how to describe it, "I don't know. He was just sad. Shouldn't the news of being together with someone you've been waiting for be enough to uplift your spirit?"
"All right, Wendy. What do you want me to do? Talk to your brother?" Grandine eyed the blunette, "You know that your brother hates it when we get into his business,"
"No, he won't," Wendy reassures, "You've got to talk to him, Mom. I can feel that something is not right with Natsu-nii,"
"Okay, okay, I'll talk to your brother," Grandine softly smiles at her child and cups her cheeks, "Thank you for looking out for your brother,"
Wendy timidly smiles back, "Of course. I just can't imagine seeing Natsu-nii lose his smile. He's always this loud guy who makes everyone laugh. So, if he loses his smile, it's just odd…"
"Don't worry, I'll talk to your brother first thing tomorrow," Grandine then ran her hand over Wendy's hair and encouraged her to head to her room. When the young blunette enters her bedroom, Grandine turns her attention to Natsu's door. She then sighs as she takes in the new information that Natsu and Lisanna are now official.
"I can only hope that it works," Grandine mumbles before turning around and continuing to head downstairs.
To be continued…
