Night had fallen.
A lunar eclipse hung over Magnolia.
‘I’m back.’ “…Did you two just hear a voice?” “Nope!” Three lounge chairs had been placed side by side on the rooftop of Aito’s home, though Aito was currently the only one lying down.
Beside him, Cana and Erza were staring at each other.
Or rather, Cana was glaring daggers at Erza, while Erza calmly ignored the murderous gaze.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear anything either.” “I don’t think anyone said anything just now.” “Then!
Why!
Are!
You!
Here, Erza?!” Cana nearly exploded.
“Tonight was supposed to be family time for me and Aito!
What are you doing here?!” Erza tilted her head.
“I’m Aito’s big sister.” “That makes me family too, so why wouldn’t I be here?” “HAH?!” “Ahem.
Stop fighting for a second!” Aito hurriedly pointed toward the sky.
“Look!
There’s a meteor!” He immediately forgot about the strange voice from earlier.
It was probably just another nearby thought that his Telepathy Magic had accidentally picked up.
A bright streak appeared where Aito was pointing.
Except…
It was flying upward.
“Where?!
Where?!” Cana looked up excitedly.
“Whoa!
It really is a mete—wait.
Isn’t its trajectory kind of weird?” Erza nodded seriously.
“Indeed.” “I didn’t know meteors could fly backward.” “…Actually, is that really a meteor?” Aito narrowed his eyes.
“Why does it look like it’s getting closer?” The three watched as the bright “meteor” suddenly changed direction.
It began descending instead.
Closer.
And closer.
It streaked across the sky above Magnolia before falling toward the eastern forest.
“…” “Uh…” Cana blinked.
“Did a meteor just fall near our town?” “Seems that way.” Erza looked toward the forest.
“But there was no sound when it landed.
Perhaps it fell farther away than it looked.” Cana suddenly gasped.
“Oh no!
I forgot to make a wish!” She immediately pointed at Erza.
“This is all your fault!” “?” Erza stared at her.
“That’s completely unreasonable.” She shook her head, then walked over and casually lifted Aito from his chair before settling him against herself.
“Let’s watch the moon together tonight.” “W-Wait!
Erza, what are you doing?!” Cana lunged toward them.
“Put Aito down!
I’m his big sister!” Erza effortlessly pushed Cana aside.
“First of all, a person can have more than one big sister.” “Second, I’m the oldest.” “So I’m the big sister.” She looked at Cana.
“Technically, you should call me Big Sis too.” “WHAT!
DID!
YOU!
SAY?!” Seeing Cana gradually transform into something resembling Medusa, Aito sighed and immediately used Flash to escape Erza’s arms.
“Can you two calm down for five minutes?” “The lunar eclipse is almost over.” “We came up here to watch the stars, remember?
Can everyone please lie down properly?” After considerable mediation from Aito, peace was finally restored.
He lay on the middle lounge chair.
Erza and Cana moved theirs close on either side, leaving the three of them lying shoulder to shoulder beneath the night sky.
Nobody spoke.
For once, the atmosphere was wonderfully peaceful.
Of course, in Aito’s ears, the girls’ thoughts never stopped.
‘Whenever I’m beside Aito, it’s so easy to feel calm.’ ‘It wouldn’t be bad if days like this continued forever…
though it’d be even better without that annoying Erza.’ ‘When I’m beside Aito, I don’t feel that loneliness anymore.’ ‘I hope I can protect this happiness with my own strength.’ ‘I’ve already lost too much.’ ‘This time, I won’t let go.’ “…” Aito didn’t dare say a word.
He was happy that the girls were so close to him, but…
‘Isn’t this pressure getting a little intense?’ ‘I’m starting to have trouble breathing.’ Aito had once thought being born several years later was a disadvantage because it forced him into the little-brother role.
Now he was starting to think being younger was actually fortunate.
At least he could only be the little brother.
The peaceful silence lasted for an unknown amount of time.
“Cana.” Erza suddenly spoke.
“Are you living at a church right now?” “Hmph.
Yeah.
Why?” Cana crossed her arms.
“If the priest didn’t keep saying I’m still too young to leave, I would’ve moved in with Aito ages ago!” “It’s nothing.” Erza looked back at the sky.
“I was raised by a church too, so I’ve always felt a little familiar with you.” “Uh…
I-I…” ‘I have parents, you know!’ Cana’s face reddened.
Although she constantly argued with Erza, she knew that wasn’t something she should say aloud.
Unfortunately for her, Aito had already heard it.
“E-Even if you say something like that, I’m still not becoming friends with you!” “Hmph!” Erza chuckled.
“I actually like everyone in the guild.” “I like Aito.” “And I like you too.” “What about Gray?!” The air suddenly went silent.
After a long pause, Erza rubbed her forehead.
“…Gray…” “Gray is also very energetic and…
cute.” Cana immediately grinned wickedly.
“Then I’ll give Gray to you as your little brother!” “Aito is mine!” “I don’t want him!” Erza slapped the armrest and sat upright.
The two girls stared at each other.
A few seconds later— “Pfft.” “Hahahahaha!” They both burst out laughing.
“…” Aito silently mourned for Gray.
Then he covered his face with both hands.
He wasn’t laughing.
He simply felt something was strange about these two.
The atmosphere had become suspiciously weird.
‘I’ll just behave tonight and let the big sisters do whatever they want.’ Erza sighed helplessly.
“Honestly…” “I was only trying to improve my relationship with you, Cana.” Cana grinned.
“Our relationship has always been good, hasn’t it?” Erza froze.
Then she smiled and lay back down.
“So I was worrying for nothing.” “Sorry.
I still have a lot to learn when it comes to getting along with people.” “Hmph!” Cana proudly raised her chin.
“As long as you don’t fight me for Aito, we’re the best sisters!” “Aito is everyone’s little brother.” Erza considered it seriously.
“I think we can share.” “Hmm…” Cana thought for a moment.
“Fine!
Since you’re my good sister, whenever I’m not around, I’ll lend Aito to you as your little brother!” “…” Aito opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
If he didn’t know these two hadn’t even finished elementary-school age yet, he’d be tempted to call the authorities.
‘Whatever.’ ‘Complete nonsense.’ The two “sisters” continued chatting for quite a while before finally realizing they’d been ignoring their little brother.
Cana leaned closer and pinched his cheek.
“Aito, why aren’t you saying anything?” “I’m meditating.” “Huh?” “Magic Power is unusually abundant tonight.” “It’s a good time to train.” “Oh.” Erza focused for a moment.
“You’re right.
I hadn’t noticed until you mentioned it.” “Magic Power in the air is much more active than usual.” She immediately closed her eyes.
“I’ll meditate too.” Cana stared at them.
“Seriously?” “Do you two have to grind this hard even while we’re stargazing?!” It had taken Aito an entire year to truly understand how important Magic Power was.
His own growth hadn’t been slow during that time.
But he was still dissatisfied.
Because Erza’s Magic Power had already far surpassed his.
Ever since joining Fairy Tail and beginning proper magical training, Erza’s strength had exploded upward.
Even Aito, with his cheat ability, couldn’t keep up.
It was ridiculous.
Still, he couldn’t go back on the boast he’d made before.
Aito intended to make increasing his Magic Power his main priority from now on.
That was why he’d spent some Inspiration Points earlier that day to raise Meditation to LV2.
If improving the basic [Meditation] skill increased the rate at which his Magic Power grew…
Then it was finally time to spend some of his enormous Inspiration Point stockpile.
“I can still talk while meditating.” “The two don’t interfere with each other.” Cana sighed.
“I seriously don’t understand why you two love training so much.” “I just want to stay with my family and happily enjoy every day together…” Erza answered without hesitation.
“To protect my family, I need greater strength.” “I’m still far too weak.” Cana gave her a strange look.
“That answer is so incredibly…
Erza.” Then she turned toward Aito.
“What about you?” “Why do you want to become stronger?” Aito answered solemnly.
“A man doesn’t need a reason to become stronger.” “You’re a little boy who hasn’t even grown up yet!” Cana pouted.
“Fine…” “But I feel like if I don’t start working harder, you two are going to leave me behind.” She looked at Aito.
“Can you teach me a few kinds of magic that suit me later?” “Absolutely, my Big Sis Cana.” “Hehe.” Cana smiled brightly.
“Thank you, my little brother Aito~” After that, the three continued chatting about anything and everything.
The guild.
The future.
Their dreams.
Unfortunately, two of the three were still inexperienced little kids who hadn’t seen much of the world.
So most of the time, Aito was the one wildly bragging about whatever came to mind.
He had the accumulated knowledge of an entire other world.
Cana and Erza could only stare at him with sparkling eyes and listen.
Before they realized it, the night had grown late.
At last, Cana reached one hand toward the stars.
Her gaze softened.
“Ahh…” “I really hope we can always stay like this.” “That we’ll never have to separate.” She smiled faintly.
“Do you think the three of us can stay family for our whole lives?” “Huh?” Aito suddenly felt strangely nervous.
“F-Forever together?” Something about that wording felt dangerous.
Erza, however, immediately sat up.
She firmly clasped Cana’s hand with an expression so determined that she looked ready to swear an oath.
“Of course we can!” “We’re Fairy Tail!” “…” Aito stared at her.
‘Is that really the line you’re supposed to use in this situation?!’ Then two burning gazes slowly turned downward.
Both girls stared at Aito lying between them.
The atmosphere suddenly became inexplicably intimidating.
‘Wait.’ ‘How did things suddenly develop into this?’ “Aito!” ×2 Under the bizarre pressure from both sides, Aito swallowed.
Then he reluctantly lifted his small hand and placed it over theirs.
“O-Okay.” “We’ll be best friends for our whole lives.” “Yeah!” “Forever!” ×2 …
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