Before anyone knew it, the year was drawing to a close.
Today, Magnolia was blanketed in heavy snow.
“Aito’s house…
sure changed a lot.” Gray stood outside the entrance to Little Garden, scratching his head in amazement.
It had been more than a month since his last visit.
Back then, the house had been fairly unremarkable.
Now it had somehow transformed into a gigantic “cake.” If the top floor didn’t still resemble the little house Gray remembered, he would’ve wondered if he’d come to the wrong place.
Aito’s home had gained another floor.
Each level was slightly smaller than the one beneath it.
With the outer walls covered in snow, the whole building looked like an enormous layered cake sitting beside the forest.
“This private house is almost half the size of the guild now…” “Is nobody seriously going to complain about this?” Gray sighed and stepped into the yard.
The instant he crossed the boundary, glowing words appeared in the air.
[Only those bearing the Fairy Tail Guild Mark can enter or leave without triggering the alarm.] “?” “What is this?” “Did Aito learn another kind of magic?” “It’s Jutsu Shiki.” Aito’s voice suddenly came from beside him.
“It’s a type of Script Magic, but much more complicated.
I’ve been practicing it lately.” “Aito?!
When did you get here?!” Gray jumped.
Ever since Aito became proficient with Teleportation Magic, he’d started appearing and disappearing like a ghost.
“I noticed you the moment you entered the yard.” Aito smiled.
“What brings you all the way out here, Big Brother Gray?” “Oh.
Fairy Tail’s annual S-Class Mage Promotion Trial started.” “All the adults disappeared somewhere, and the guild is way too quiet.
I had nowhere else to go, so I came here.” “Ohhh.” Aito nodded.
“I completely forgot about that.
It doesn’t have much to do with us anyway.” “Come inside.” “You finally decided to put a door on the first floor…” Gray stepped inside.
“Whoa!
Why is it so warm in here?” He immediately took off his coat.
Just as he was about to remove another layer, his entire body froze.
“E-Erza?!” “Why are you at Aito’s house too?!” Half of Little Garden’s first floor had been converted into an indoor training area.
Erza, dressed in training clothes, was practicing swordsmanship against a dummy.
“Yo, Gray.
Welcome.” Erza stopped training and walked over.
“As for why I’m here…” “Naturally, it’s because I live here.” She looked at Gray as though asking, ‘Is there something strange about that?’ Gray stared at her.
“…You live here?” “Big Sis Erza spends nearly all the money she earns from jobs on weapons and equipment.” Aito shrugged.
“She was having trouble paying rent, and the girls’ dormitory couldn’t fit all her stuff anyway.” “So until she saves enough money, she decided to stay here.” Aito pointed upward.
“I even added another floor to store all her equipment.” “At this point, the entire second floor is basically turning into a weapons exhibition.” Gray’s mouth twitched.
Erza was becoming more monstrous by the day.
He couldn’t see any hope of ever catching up.
“…You’ve done almost as many jobs as me these past few months.” “Erza, stop grinding so hard.
Leave the rest of us a way to survive.” “Whatever you do, you should give it your full effort!” Erza picked up a towel and wiped away her sweat.
“Gray, if you keep being this lazy, you’ll never catch up to me.” She then turned to Aito with an invitation.
“I’m tired.
I’m going to take a bath.
Aito, want to join?” “Erza!
How many times do I have to tell you?!
A girl can’t invite a boy to bathe with her!
It’s completely improper!
If you keep this up, I’m going to kick you out!” As she watched Aito’s small face turn bright red while he scolded her, a satisfied smile spread across Erza’s face.
Ever since she discovered that her precocious younger brother could still be caught off guard by certain things, she had taken great pleasure in teasing him.
After all, seeing Aito “angry” was a rare sight.
“What a shame~ Your big sister has always wanted to scrub your back for you, Aito.” “I-I can’t believe you’re this kind of person, Erza!
Shameless!” Gray was just as startled.
Blushing, he stood beside Aito in shared outrage as they took turns harshly condemning Erza: “Shameless!” “Brazen!” “No sense of restraint!” “Muscle gorilla!” Erza paid them no mind, climbing the stairs to the second floor with a triumphant smile.
Once she was out of earshot, Gray draped an arm over Aito’s shoulder, his face still flushed as he whispered, “Does Erza really try to drag you into…?” “Don’t go there.
That idiot had absolutely no common sense before!
I was the one who had to teach her how to be a proper lady.
Now that she understands everything, she just uses it as an excuse to tease me.
She doesn’t see me as a boy at all.
Sigh, my heart is so tired.” Although Aito loved being close to beautiful girls, he had his principles.
He could never bring himself to deceive an ignorant young woman.
Of course, more importantly, he was only seven years old—an age where he couldn’t do anything anyway.
It would only make him angry with no benefit at all.
“Ahem.” Gray sympathetically patted Aito’s shoulder.
“Brother, you’ve got it rough.” Living with that super-strong gorilla Erza was bad enough.
Having her constantly mess with him on top of that…
His little brother truly carried a heavy burden.
“Huh?” Gray looked toward the stairs.
“We’re not going up that way?” “We’ll use the elevator.” Aito pointed toward another part of the room.
“The first and second floors are basically Erza’s territory now.
We’ll go straight to the third floor.” They took the elevator upstairs.
The instant the doors opened, Gray spotted Cana sprawled across the sofa like a dying worm.
He stared at her for a moment.
“Can I just say I’m not surprised to see you here at all?” “Cana, don’t tell me you moved in too.” Cana weakly waved one hand.
“Don’t mention that horrible woman Erza to me.” “I’ve broken off our friendship!” “Huh?” Gray blinked.
“That serious?
What happened?” “Big Sis Cana lost another duel.” Aito calmly explained.
“That was the twenty-ninth time, I think.” “They stop being friends for a few days every time Cana loses.
I’m used to it.” Gray couldn’t hold it in.
“Pfft!” “Why are you challenging Erza too?!” “You’ve fought her way more times than I have!” “What do you know?!” Cana suddenly sat up.
“These are duels fought in the name of being Aito’s big sister!” “Only the strong deserve the little brother!” She clenched her fist.
“Just wait!
One day, I’ll beat Erza and kick her out of this house!” “…If you want to move in too, I wouldn’t say no.” “No!” Cana dramatically rolled across the sofa.
“I have to drive Erza out!” “Waaaah!
I was here first!” “I’m Aito’s big sister!” “That horrible robber!” “If I’d known this would happen, I never would’ve asked Aito to help her!” “I’m so stupid!
Really!
I’m so stupid!
Waaaah!” Gray stared at Cana, who was rolling around without the slightest concern for her image.
“…What’s wrong with her?” Aito sighed.
“She drank fake booze.” “Hah?” “It was a drink I mixed while practicing Potioncraft.” Aito glanced toward a bottle on the table.
“I thought I’d made pure fruit juice, but apparently it has the side effect of making people drunk.” “It tastes pretty good, though.” “Want some?” “No, no, I’m good!” Gray quickly waved both hands.
Then something else registered.
“Wait.
Since when have you been making medicine?” “I’ve been studying it on and off for a few months.” Aito sighed.
“Unfortunately, I’ve only learned the basics.” “This stuff is way harder than magic.” Gray scratched his head.
“I think you’re studying too many things.” “Nobody has unlimited energy.
Can you really keep up with all of it?” “It’s fine.” “A lot of the magic I’ve studied was abandoned right after I reached the beginner level.” Aito shrugged.
“I just look like I know more than I really do.” “How modest~” A cheerful voice came from the other side of the room.
“Little Aito is a real genius, unlike ordinary people like us~” Only then did Gray notice someone sitting at the far end of the room with a book.
“Levy, you’re here too?!” He looked around incredulously.
“Does everyone treat Aito’s house like their own home now?” “Hehe~” Levy smiled.
“This is our secret base, after all.” “I only come over sometimes.” She pointed toward Cana.
“Today I was responsible for acting as the referee for their duel.” Gray finally understood.
Then he gave Cana a deeply contemptuous look.
“Erza went straight back to training after the fight.” “You lost and immediately started drinking.” “No wonder you can’t beat her.” “What did you say?!” Cana sprang off the sofa.
“Damn you, Gray!” “I might not be able to beat Erza, but you think I can’t handle you?!” “Die!” “Come on, then!” “You think I’m scared of you?!” “Wait!” Aito’s expression changed.
“If you two want to fight, do it outside!” They ignored him completely.
Magic Power began surging.
Aito’s eyebrow twitched.
“Seriously…” “Teleportation!” The two troublemakers vanished from the room.
And so…
Little Garden was as lively as ever today.
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